Remember that hype slide Nvidia showed at CES 2025, where they claimed the RTX 5070 was equal to the RTX 4090? Now that the 5070 Ti has launched, we put both cards to the test—and the answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no. Let’s dive in!
The DLSS 4 Game-Changer
DLSS 4 introduces Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), a feature exclusive to the RTX 50 series. MFG can generate three additional frames for every one rendered frame, massively boosting FPS. But raw frame rate is just part of the story—latency plays a crucial role too.
Can the 5070 Ti, with MFG, keep up with the brute-force power of the 4090? Let’s see how they compare across three major games.
Cyberpunk 2077 Benchmarks (4K RT Overdrive)
- Native 4K: 16 FPS avg.
- DLSS Super Resolution Only: 53 FPS avg | 41.2ms latency (smooth and playable).
- 3X MFG: 128 FPS avg | 55ms latency.
- 4X MFG: 157 FPS avg | 58.4ms latency.
Versus RTX 4090:
- 5070 Ti (3X MFG): 128 FPS avg | 55ms latency.
- 4090 (2X Frame Gen): 126 FPS avg | 39ms latency.
- 5070 Ti (4X MFG): 157 FPS vs. 4090’s 128 FPS (+24.5% FPS lead) but with a 19ms latency penalty.
Key Takeaway:
The 5070 Ti matches the 4090 in FPS, but its latency is slightly higher. For most gamers, the difference isn’t noticeable, making it a strong contender for high FPS gaming at 4K.
Alan Wake 2 Benchmarks (RT Path Tracing)
- DLSS Super Resolution: 59 FPS avg | 83ms latency.
- 4X MFG: 109 FPS avg | 106ms latency (unplayable due to input lag).
Versus RTX 4090:
- 5070 Ti (3X MFG): 85 FPS avg | 108ms latency.
- 4090 (2X Frame Gen): 90 FPS avg | 67ms latency.
Key Takeaway:
Alan Wake 2’s high base latency makes 4X MFG unviable. Lowering resolution and optimizing settings can improve playability, but the 4090 holds a clear advantage in responsiveness.
Star Wars Outlaws Benchmarks (4K Full RT Path Tracing)
- 4X MFG + DLSS Performance: 147 FPS avg | 50ms latency.
- Visual Artifacts: Minimal and less noticeable at high FPS.
Key Takeaway:
The 5070 Ti finds its sweet spot in Star Wars Outlaws. It delivers high frame rates with playable latency and maintains excellent visual fidelity.
Understanding the Tradeoffs: Latency vs. FPS
Many assume higher FPS always means a smoother experience, but latency tells a different story. Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 can have similar FPS but vastly different lag experiences. While higher FPS reduces visual artifacts, it doesn’t necessarily fix input lag.
Frame Gen Tradeoffs:
- 3X MFG: Best for 4K/120Hz displays (~55ms latency).
- 4X MFG: Best for 144Hz+ displays (higher FPS but added input lag).
User Sensitivity Matters:
Some gamers won’t notice 60 ms+ latency, while competitive players may find anything above 50 ms problematic.
Best Settings for the 5070 Ti
Prioritize Base Latency:
- Lower Ray Tracing settings before enabling MFG.
- Consider adjusting resolution to find the right balance between FPS and latency.
Ideal Display Pairing:
- 4K/120Hz: Use 3X MFG for smoother input response.
- 4K/144Hz+: Use 4X MFG for maximum FPS (but expect some input lag).
Always Enable G-Sync:
This helps smooth out frame pacing and reduces micro-stutters.
Conclusion
If you already own a 4090, there’s no reason to switch. But if you’re upgrading from older hardware, the 5070 Ti is a fantastic 4K gaming option—if you tweak your settings wisely. Prioritize lower RT settings or resolution before enabling MFG to get the best experience.
For gamers sensitive to input lag, the 4090 remains the better choice. But for most players, the 5070 Ti delivers an excellent balance of price, power, and next-gen technology.
What do you think? Drop a comment!!
